LAFAYETTE, La.  East Bayou Baptist Church will conduct its first service in a new worship facility more than two weeks ahead of schedule. The 2,000-member congregation attended a final service Dec. 3 in the current worship center with a mixture of sadness and anticipation.
"It's sad because of the nostalgia, but we can't hold on to the temporary things," said Jessie Enright, a 25-year member of the church. "The work God is doing here is everlasting, not the building. I'm excited to start a new chapter of memories in the new church."
In late November, clergy, administrators and office staff moved into the new 46,000-square-foot multi-purpose facility. Church leaders originally hoped to be in closer to Christmas Eve, but good weather and few foul-ups allowed construction to proceed more quickly, according to a news report in The Advertiser.
Instead, the first service is set for Dec. 7.
"We're planning a whole day of fellowship, music and family to introduce our new home," said. The Rev. Mike Walker, church pastor. "We'll also be thanking God for all the great things he's doing at East Bayou Baptist."
The facility features a 1,000-seat auditorium for worship services, concerts and banquets; two expansive foyers for fellowship; offices for the 13-member clergy and administration staff; a conference room; and a preschool built to serve 275 students.
The $8 million project included transforming a former 34,000-square-foot skating rink adjacent to the former sanctuary into a 40-room multi-use structure for Christian and community group meetings, worship services and children's functions, the newspaper reported. That $1 million phase was completed earlier this year.
Walker said the multi-purpose capability of both structures is in line with the church's "24/7" ministry philosophy.
"We didn't want to pay for a multi-million-dollar facility that we could only use half a day once a week," he said. "What's the point in that?"
Administrators expect nearby residential development to more than double the 2,000-member congregation over the next five years, the newspaper reported.
